Planning permission

youngfarmer

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I know it has been asked about stables, but I'm wanting to know how difficult it would be to get planning permission to build a fair sized house (3-4 bedrooms, everything else that you'd find in a regular house), a few stables and a menage in the Essex area on roughly 5-6 acres of land?

My partner has said this is what he would like to do for his future house, and has had a few quotes on price compared to what it would be to buy around here. Anyone has experience of trying to do this? How difficult was it?
 
It depends also on the local council as mine is notoriously difficult and I don't think I ever would on my 5 acres.
Set up a small business with something like alpacas with a well thought out business plan and go for temporary accommodation first. Really dies depend on where the land is and your council.
 
If its in Green belt or outside the established settlement envelope then the chances are somewhere between nil and very difficult. It depends on the local authority but I suggest you get some local professional advice. Ring round a few local architects and listen to what they say about your chances and how much they would charge.
 
we've got 8 acres in a green belt and planning consultant said we would need to set up an agricultural business and run it for 3 years before we might be able to get planning.
 
we've got 8 acres in a green belt and planning consultant said we would need to set up an agricultural business and run it for 3 years before we might be able to get planning.

.... and even then it might not work because you have to prove that it is essential that you live onsite. The planners are somewhat undecided about how to interpret this under NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) but many are still using the old PPS7 guidelines which say you need to not only prove financial viability but also a functional need.

I refer to my earlier post, you probably need professional advice and don't just go to one person because you need a skilled person in this area and there are a lot of duff people out there ( I know because I usually have to pick up the pieces).
 
It is notoriously hard to get planning for a dwelling, 'Agricultural need' also. You will need 3 yrs of accounts showing the business providing a liveable income, plus the need to live on site. Very few agricultural business actually require 24hr care, security is not a planning issue and will not be taken into account. Since you are wanting to build an equestrian property I think you will struggle but do go to a reputable planning consultant have a chat. Every council is different.
 
Sometimes success is obtained under "local need" ie if you have elderly parents in the area and you need to move there to look after them. you need to reasd through the localv authorities criteria.
 
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